New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-24
MR.. sIMMs'S VISIT.



of and A. My friend and must have thought on
the subject great deal to-day for every time
We have looked at each other we have laughed Even
the mastif hos appeared to observe this unusual
hlarty, and has gazed at often with intent ques-
touing expression. As many five times this fore
noon have sa,d do hope nobody will hear OF IT.
and then have treasured ourselves by saying, they
won't be likely to speak of it, and Pm sure that we
shall be silent"
An hour ago, however wc knew that :" it had got
ous" Cap'n Asel has recovered from his rheumatism
so far as to be able to be bobblng about collecting
items. If we were in society" bis services would
be priceless for o society Journal
Capn Asel has been good deal out of temper since
he was kept at home, for he knew ne missed q good
many things. But he has expressed deep thankful
ness that he was up and permitted to attend Mr..
Jonas Rankin's funeral, which took place in Mrs.
Rankin's house. Capn Asel and his Prince Albert
coat were present; the Capn said 1t was as good
funeril he had had in Some years. The fact that
the widder he'd separated from her husband
made the services deal interestin. The house
crowded In consequence OF that fact. FL L
hadn't gone full hour before the time set" went
on Capn Asel. be sat in our tent the neat day.
shouldn't got seat ] should or stai1 jest the
same for was bound ter seo IL the wilder took it
hard but IL amt no great fun tor man with one leg
to stand through whole funer, with the takn leave
OF the corpse into the bargain And 1t the tAkin
leave that was particularly anxious about. Praps
y0u amt thought nothin bout Ii, but you en-
jedge mighty we'll ii persons got much feelin Ell you
watch 'um cost when they ale a takin leave OF the
remains. alters mean to be where en- hev good
view OF 'um at that time. Wall, Randy, she was jest
as calm as mill-pcnd. She didn't shed a tear. She
looked uncommon pale and holler-cbeeked, but she
didn't cry drop. Fact is, twas as calm funer
take 1t all round any ever attended. And Mr.
Rankin he was one of the pleasantest men We ever
But he amt ben mourned like some as has ben
known to speak sharp once'n while. There want no
sobbin, when they sung the hymn tune. I've
noticed that when the singin' begins the cryin Is
usually more harder. But II 1t hadn't er ben Tor the
pse. you'd hardly known this was a funeril Still,
twas consid'ab interestu'. l s'pose JOhn'l hey
what propy his father left Some money in the bank.
expect. Randy can't expect nothin. of course"
Ii was thus Capn Asel Giscoursed to us after these
services. As We listened TO him we wondered now
many of the people hereabouts made it point to be
where they could have n good view of the mourn
ers. We wondered also If there could be anything
more barbaric, ghoulsh than, certain SET of
country people he at the time OF death In their
midst
Cap'n Asel has just stopped at our tent. He didn't
say a great deal, but he looked a great deal. 1t Is
clear be is displeased deeply displea: ed with He
stood firmly planted between his crutshes and gared
more than he talked
womea ia foolsn was the first thing he said. We
assented cheerfuly to this remark, AID our assent
seemed 10 exasperate him. He lifted his right crutch
and set it down deep in the sand. Fools they be-
he said louder Then he added. Mebbe you think
it's smart OF We to throw away chances But youn be
sorry when it's too late Do Won think we en- pick
and choose; do yef tell ye, women can't do that
Especially women as amt so young "a they was
amt no patience with ye.n
With those words he turned aud stumped a~ ay
evidently not daring to trust himself 10 speak any
further
Then we knew that what we had said we would
keep hidden in hearts was abroad on the ridge.
Every fisherman and his wife and children would
Can'n Ase1 had been the tent
and had listened tho parties Of the other part had
told.
Yesterday afternoon, at twenty minutes after g.
while we reading novels calmly IN our sheiter
two people appeared Mt the entrance. They were MI
Thomas S,uims and his sister, Mrs. Waters. Mr..
simms was dressed in light gray suit and he
cal ried cane. There WAS curious look Oh resolu
ton and fortitude on his face which my friend ara
both remarked directly. They had never called on us
before and we tried to conceal our surprise. AIRS.
Waters was very nxious In appearances anu lace
Wa offered them seats. but Mrs. Waters said she
,ht she would go down to the beach and see the
waves come in and she had just lad letter from
her sou Frnncis-empbasis on the last - liable, as
usual which she had not yet had time to read
She would leave her brother and call tor
him soon Her brother was improving in wonderful
manner OF late She had not known mis- liver to be SO
active In three years as it was now.
Having given us this inform ,tion, she walked
away leaving her charge sitting like one OF his own
Nightmares in our tent.
We glanced Mt him III curiosity and some amaze
mcnt The expression OF determination dcepened every
noment he seemed, in taco and attitude. to lie last
becoming rigid with some concealed decision.
Nv friend made an observation on the iact that the
shore very gay where the cottages anu hotels
were.
Mr. simms said, 'it is, and then turned to ne and
cove ma ttis confederation OF his sisters words
at ia true that my liver has become very active"
he said "all phy sicaus nave always told ne thar,
coud get my liver to be active, should soon be all
rignt"
..Theu we mast congratulate you, said |.
ssThank YOU you are very KIND.
Our caller remained silent Tor Lime, both hands
resting on his cane his eyes the floor We believed
him to be engaged in cntemPlaton OF his liver, ana
we wonld not disturb him
Finally he raised his eyes, and sid, eyes; think
have reason TO believe that my liver is again active
we mprmured something aud waited. not dar'pg to
.,.r, any snbjeet unconnected with the bodily all
ments of Mr.. Simms.
Again he looked D. and this time he said with his
ewes on me- 81 come more particularly to call on
you."
Carlos rose Instantly, looking unnatsrnlly solemn.
~ will take a scroll Oh beach, she said, and lett
u.s.
felt myself getting rigid as my visitor looked.
Co,lJ IL ne possole-but no. IL a woman always
knows when she is loved she certainly does not al7
WAYS know when she is as Maria Jane ia'eS ohce
said "agon' TO DO proposed to"
II callcd' said Mr.. Simms' with sun more TER
captible show of resolution, 81 called to ask II you
would marry me-" lie did not beat about the oush.
Although nv muscles mad somewhat stihened beneath
n vague ext ectston bUevo was calm
But am not halt good n nurse as my Trend
would be-" l responded immediately
That's what told my sister, said he with Halter
inc frankness "but she said you were stronger she
Nas ouite sure you stronger. DO YOU think you
are stronger Panxiorsl told him did not think
,here was NJ ucb difference tho scoie OF strength
but that was sure my friend bad far greater apti
rnde for nursing an invalid. As for me- really did
not think could accept the position. hopca NC
would excuse me.
lie appeared to find no trouble ia excusing me- his
mind was now turned toward my friend He asked II
she would be back soon lie suggested that might
signal to nor. went ont and waved my handkerchief
feeling n mali ,ious pleasure doing so, and making
sura that we would each have an offer OF marriage
from the same man in one and the same afternoon
INV sister Harriet said Mr.. Simms when re-
NN